Description: This pioneer lichen has as its principal habitats shaded or dust-enriched substrata such as mosses on fence post tops, stony surfaces by tracks and animal bones. The tiny pale brown to darker brown discs (which contain K+ purple pigments) can be as small as 0.1mm diam. Under the microscope the species can be distinguished by the large, vesicle-like cells which form the structure of the disc margin (exciple). B. chloroticula (described elsewhere) is very similar but lacks large vesicle-like exciple cells. In Ireland, the species is known from Fermanagh; few other records, so probably widely overlooked.

Key Identification Features:

• Pioneer lichen of discarded junk, stones, bone, mossy wooden fence post tops
• Discs minute but exciple (disc edge) with huge vesicle-like cells; this distinguishes it.

Original text submitted by Vince J. Giavarini

Distribution Map from NBN: Bacidina saxenii at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Bacidina saxenii at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.